Upgrade to 550 from 450 or stay small?

[Clayts]

So this question has been going round my head for months now so I thought its about time to get an outside opinion on it...

I currently have a TREX 450 pro dfc and have been wondering if its worth selling up and going bigger

The only problem is to go up to a 550 i would need to shell out for a charger and batteries etc that will cost quite a lot.

So is the jump worth it is what I want to know?

[KevDavies]

bigger = easier to see, easier to fly

[Clayts]

So you can defiantly tell the difference when flying the 550?

[KevDavies]

Yep most definately! And 600's - 800's are easier again!! Like I say the bigger they are the easier it is.

If you can get to my field Ill let you fly one of mine so you can see what I mean

[simon1]

easier to fly but much much more expensive to crash/repair, lipos are around £40 compared to £10 for a 450. I have recently crashed my 550 from no more than two feet up, £170 later...., if you can afford to crash them buy it you wont regret it...the trex 500 is a nice heli too which iv also owned, big step up in stability over the 450 and not as pricey to run/crash as the 550.

[MarkG_R1]

Upgrade to 550 from 450 or stay small?

I've had a 450 for 18 months and a 550 for 6 months, they're both great Heli's and the 550 flies way nicer but I wouldn't have sold the 450 to fund the 550, you need both so get saving

When the inevitable happens and I stuff my 550, I'll still have the 450 to fly while I fix the biggun up

My mate has got a 500dfc pro and it is a lovely bird too, almost makes me wish I'd started with a 500 instead of the 450

[AlastairC]

Upgrade to 550 from 450 or stay small?

I added a 550 to my 450. As above glad I have both. The 550 is a joy to fly so smooth (and massive compared to the 450). Warning though is with the 550 you will end up wanting / getting a 700 (they share the same battery's - the 700 uses 2 packs)

You need to have a good charger setup for the 550 as the packs take a good charger to get them charged at a reasonable rate.

Still love my 450 pro. Great for throwing around and taking to the smaller field I fly at that is a bit more sheltered and trying stuff from the sim. Up here through given the wind the 550 doubles my flying days.

Cheers,
Alastair

[Clayts]

I do kinda want to keep the 450 as the one to try new stuff out on first as it would be cheaper but whilst saving for a wedding and a house, I think I can only get away with having one or there may not be a wedding haha

do really want a 550 though!

[MarkG_R1]

Upgrade to 550 from 450 or stay small?

I do kinda want to keep the 450 as the one to try new stuff out on first as it would be cheaper but whilst saving for a wedding and a house, I think I can only get away with having one or there may not be a wedding haha

do really want a 550 though!

What about a secondhand one?
There have been some cracking models sold on here for very reasonable money lately

[GIXERMAN]

So you can defiantly tell the difference when flying the 550?

u can even tell difference between 500 as wellas well

[Clayts]

i still think i can only get away with having one really. Two is two sets of batts, two sets of spares and twice as annoyed at myself when i crash them haha

[Clayts]

Which 550 is the best? In your own opinions

[Varelco]

I moved from a 450 to a 550 back when I was starting out, the size difference is massive, intimidating at first but you will soon get used to it, it flies very different to a 450, typically it's more stable and smoother, not as twitchy, it needs more space and handles the wind much better. As already said batteries are costly in comparison, you also need a decent charger set up to suit, otherwise you will soon get bored of slow charging times lol.

[Clayts]

how much am i looking for a charger worthy of charging the 550 batts suitably quick ?

[Paz26181]

How well can you fly?

two or maybe one crash/mechical fault on a big heli will cost the price of a 450!

if your frequently crashing your 450 and money is a issue dont go bigger as the fear of costs will take the fun out of flying for you.